Business use of AR and VR set to become mainstream

Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies are set to become mainstream in business operations within the next three years, new research suggests.

Firms that are already using AR/VR say that it improves efficiency and safety, and generates productivity benefits.

Capgemini Research Institute surveyed more than 700 executives in the automotive, manufacturing and utilities sectors, with 82% of those currently implementing AR/VR reporting that the benefits are either meeting or exceeding their expectations.

The most popular uses of AR/VR are repair and maintenance, and design and assembly.

AR, while being more complex to implement, is perceived as more beneficial than VR.

“While VR has been found to enhance a solo, immersive user experience that is isolated from the real world, AR connects the digital world to the real world, and therefore supports a number of breakthrough use-cases,” Capgemini explained.

Half (50%) of enterprises currently not implementing AR and VR will start exploring immersive technologies for their business operations within the next three years.

Overall, 46% of companies believe the technology will become mainstream in their organisations within the next three years, while a further 38% think it will become mainstream in their organisations in the next three to five years.

However, a shortage of in-house expertise and insufficient back-end infrastructures are significant barriers to growth, Capgemini noted.

Establish a dedicated central team or innovation centre to manage AR/VR activities.

Invest in agile, in-house teams of experts to gear up for future adoption.

Focus on the right use cases that provide lasting value and support employees.

Prepare technology infrastructure to integrate AR/VR.

Worldwide spending on AR/VR is expected to reach $17.8bn in 2018, an increase of nearly 95% over the $9.1bn estimate for 2017, according to IDC, with growth forecast to continue at a similar rate for the next three years.